Screening Start Date: November 2, 2026
Mandatory Certificate Submission Date: January 4, 2027
Japan is expanding its Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS) program to Indonesian nationals.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), screening at designated medical institutions in Indonesia is scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026. Submission of a TB Clearance Certificate will become mandatory for applicable Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and visa applications from January 4, 2027.
1. Who Is Affected?
The requirements generally apply to Indonesian nationals planning to reside in Japan for the medium to long term. Certain applicants entering under the designated activities status for digital nomads and their spouses or children are also covered.
Short-term visitors entering under the “Temporary Visitor” status are generally exempt. Other exemptions may apply depending on the applicant’s circumstances and supporting documents.
2. Required Procedures
Applicants subject to JPETS must undergo a medical examination, including a chest X-ray, at a Japanese government-designated medical institution in Indonesia.
If no active tuberculosis is detected, the institution will issue a TB Clearance Certificate.
The certificate must be submitted when applying for:
- A Certificate of Eligibility (COE); or
- A visa directly at a Japanese diplomatic mission without first obtaining a COE.
The certificate is generally valid for 180 days from the date of the chest X-ray. Screening costs are borne by the applicant.
Please note: Requirements may differ depending on the application date. For example, special rules may apply to applicants who submit their COE applications before January 4, 2027.
3. What Employers and Applicants Should Do
Employers recruiting Indonesian nationals and individuals planning to relocate to Japan should:
- Confirm whether the applicant is subject to JPETS.
- Check the latest list of designated medical institutions in Indonesia.
- Allow sufficient time for screening and certificate issuance.
- Coordinate the screening schedule with the planned COE or visa application.
4. Official Resources
- MHLW – Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS): https://jpets.mhlw.go.jp/
- MHLW – Announcement on Screening in Indonesia: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_76360.html
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00219.html
Note: The dates above are scheduled dates and may be subject to change. Please check the latest official announcements before proceeding with immigration applications.
Sources:
Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/kenkou/kekkaku-kansenshou03/index_00006.html
Immigration Service Agency: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00219.html?lang=lb
Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening: https://jpets.mhlw.go.jp/jp
